Prep for painting a outboard

[cparkerc]

Morning,

Have searched and found lots of information on this subject...thanks! Have a couple of specific questions i couldn't find the answer to. I have a '70 25 hp Johnson that i want to paint.

1) The cowling is some sort of plastic/composite. The PO painted it (over the dealer decals and everything) with an unknown type of paint. What is the safe way to remove the paint from this surface/material?

2) When prepping the aluminum leg, i forsee having painted surfaces and bare aluminum. Is it ok to use the self etching primer on the painted surfaces also?

Thanks for your help, have a great weekend!

Carrington

 

[bowman316]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

I just used a spray can of rustoleium on mine. No prep work, I just whiped it clean with a rag. It stuck pretty well

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

What is the cover? Most are fiberglass. To get the best results prime any bare aluminum with zinc chromate....... you will/should try a razor blade and lift the decals (maybe a hair dryer)..... then sand smooth.

 

[cparkerc]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

Thanks.

The cover i guess is fiberglass, so sand the paint off?

With the aluminum, can i use the zinc chromate on the painted surfaces of the lower drives also?

Thanks

Carrington

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

Yup zinc chromate is your primer and it will seal the aluminum....

I did leave out a step.... BEFORE the ZC primer wipe the bare aluminum with vinegar and water..... (50-50 mix).

Look in the completed project section and there are some motors done in there with great results.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

When I painted my 1981 rude, IT looked brand new for a month or so, but then oil was leaking down the side, and there are grease stains on part of the side. But this was due to a blown head gasket, which has been fixed.

I like how accessable outboards are, makes things easier than working on a car engine.

 

[halas]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

Thanks.

The cover i guess is fiberglass, so sand the paint off?

With the aluminum, can i use the zinc chromate on the painted surfaces of the lower drives also?

Thanks

Carrington

Don't get the zinc chromate primer on the painted surfaces it is effective only on bare aluminum.
I would just do as Bowman316 suggested and forget the primer.
You can just paint over the plastic decals again and order new ones to be sticked on when the paint is cured (2 weeks). Don't bother removing the old paint if it is solid ( too much work).

The way i would do it:
1.) engine degreeser, then hose or drive trough car wash
1.) wipe down wit lacquer thinner.
3.) hand sand with 220 grit
4.) mask off as needed
5.) aerosol spray with rustoleum or automotive paint
6.) aerosol clear coat with compatible finish

 

[5150abf]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

Redid mine this year and yes you can and should use etching primer and it is fine to use it on the paint too, if you don't the paint will come off the bare aluminum before long.

I have done both the quicky way and the right way, wipe it off and hit it with paint and this last time I disassembled and stripped it to bare metal, primed and painted, the quicky way will get you a year or 2 the right way you probably will never touch it again.

The hood is a little sticky having painted over the decals, removing those is going to be a major PITA, I think I would scuff it and get new stickers for it and NO DO NOT strip the hood, it will just cause more problems.

The biggest mistake newby painters make is over sanding, all you need to do is scuff the surface so the new paint will stick, I work at a body shop part time and we use a Scotch Brite pad to prep before painting so you don't need to tear it all the way down.

I wouldn't go any heavier than 320 or you will see sand marks through the paint.

I used Duplicolor on mine then cleared with real auto clear from the shop but the Duplicolor will work fine.

here is some pics of mine.

 

[halas]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

I guess if you want a top notch restoration paint job go with the more elaborate way.
I keep my project simple since I have a lots of them and there is only 7 days in a week.
If you do it my way it will look good but not perfect for many years.

 

[cparkerc]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

Thanks for all the replies, appreciate the help!

Carrington

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Prep for painting a outboard

How 'bout some progress pics ? I should be starting mine in a week.

'84 Rude 25.